Reading stand or desk



Nov. 27 192,3. 1,475,889

' J-, Hf RUSSELL.

READNG STAND OR DESK Filed Oct. 5. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 27, 1923.

UNTED STATES JAMES H. RUSSELL, or oKLAHoMa,-KLAHOMA.

READING STAND OR DESK.

Application led October 5, 1921. Serial No. 505,493.

T0 @ZZ/1,071,077?, t?? may Concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. RUSSELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oklahoma city, in the county ot Oklahoma and Sta-te ot klahorna, have invented certain new and useiful Improvements in a Reading Stand or Desk; and l do hereby declare the following to be a tull, clear, and exact description otthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the saine.

rlhis invcntionrelates to a reading stand or desk.

An important object is to provide an article ot furniture ot this character having a top capable ot manipulation so that it may be drawn closer to or pushed away from a position accessible to a person while seated and who periodically uses the same; one in which the top may be adjusted to positions best suited to Surroundings; one having a plurality of portions separately to contain books or sheets being conjointly referred to or studied so that they may be selectively brought closer to and moved away from the user; an article ot this kind which may serve as a desk or stand for several people; one having compartments for stationery and the like; and one having a single pivot rod to mount the top and auxiliary holders or supports to cooperate with the top in preventing rotation thereof when desired.

Additional objects and advantages will appear from the description following taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one preferred embodiment.

ln said drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view oit the stand or table, showing one oi the lids or leaves partly raised and the book Support in place;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the stand or desk;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view oi the stand or desk;

Figure 4. is ay perspective view ot' one of the folders or supports;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is adetail perspective view ot another forni of holder or support, and

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view on the line 7-7 ot Figure 6.

Throughout the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.-

ln reducing thek invention to practice, a suitable supporting structure 1s provided which niay consist ot a pedestal 8, having a plurality of inclined legs 9 suitably secured in slots 10 thereof. A pivot rod 11 rises from the pedestal 8. y y y y Swiveled for horizontal rotation on the rod 11 is a top structure generally designated A. Said topv structure A essentially consists ot leaves 12, disposed at the desired 'inclination and adapted to torno rests for books, stationery or other material desired. Adliacent the lower edges of the leaves 12 ledges or 'rests for the books or stationery are provided at 13;. -This top structuremay also have a bottom wall 14 having sidewalls 15 secured theretorand upon the upper'rinclined edges 16 ot which, said leaves 12 rest. A transverse reinforcing strip 17 is secured to the sides 15 and bottom 14. Spanning the side walls 15 and directly above the strip 17 is ay stationary stripl 18. Strip 17, bottom 14 and strip 18 have central aligned openings 19 through which rod 11 extends so as to pivotally mount the top. The strip 17 rests directly upon the upper end of the pedestal 8.

Leaves 12 are hinged at 2O to the strip- 18 in order that the leaves 12 may be raised and the interior or the top niay be utilized to contain stationery or other desired n1aterial like the usual writing table or desk. Strip 18 may have ribs or ledges 21 prol vided thereon so as to enable it to retain pens, pencils or the like.

Auxiliary pamphlets or reference supports or racks B and C may be utilized and each one having an opening or recess therein as at 22 to 'frictionally engage@ the rod 11 above the strip 1S. and at their lower ends Jfrictionally engage the strip 18, to hold the top against turning, when desired. The support B is adapted to hold cards and the like and to this end they have a inain wall 23 and an auxiliary wall 24, terminating short of the upper end of wall 23 and having a card retaining slot or the like 25 between them. The support or rack C may consist ot horizontally disposed Shelf 26, secured to an attaching socket 27 which directly receives said rod 11.

' The uses to which the stand or desk may be put will be manifest but it may be mentioned that parties may Sit at opposite ends of the top A and use the leaves 12 as an ordinary desk top. 0n the other hand, one party referring to a plurality of sheets or books may place separate ones on thefleaves l2 and be seated adjacent one of the leaves l2. .F rom this position, the table top may be revolved to present either of the leaves l2 adjacent the user or to move them out of close proximity to him, if he finds it desirable to divert his attention to otherv matters While still seated. The leaves l2 may be raised to permit access to the interior of the top which may contain stationery or other desirable material. Also, either of the auxiliary supports B or C may be selectively positioned on the rod l1 when de-f sired, and if the top is moved to a position which it should retain for a considerable time, the holder on the rod ll may be pressed to frictionally engage strips 2O to thus resist tendency of the top to revolve. It Will be understood of course that the top is loosely vswviveled on the rod ll and the swiveling movement is only resisted When the holders are in frictional engagement with the rod 1l and bear upon the strip 20.

It is tobe understood that my disclosure is to be taken broadly as the structure described is capable of modification and applicable to many7 uses which have not been de strip spanning said bottom and secured to said sides, a strip above said strip and spanning said sides, said rod being sWiveled in said bottoni and the strip and extending above the upper strip, leaves on opposite sides of the rod hinged to the second men-f tioned strip, and a pamphlet support applicable to the red above the second mentioned strip to frictionally engage the same and said pamphlet support being engageable friction tight with the second mentioned strip to hold the top against rotation.

ln testimony7 Whereot1 I aliX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES H. RUSSELL. lvitnesses f GRACE SMi'rH, E R. SMrrH. 

